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  #1  
Old 10-17-2016, 06:58 PM
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Default Ruger Mark IV...WOW!

I have a Ruger Mark I that has been in the family for 50 yrs and have fond memories of shooting it as a kid. Great pistol but we all know the ugly mess of disassembly and cleaning of the Mark series of pistols! For this reason I never considered another and instead have shot Buckmarks and Smith 22's. I currently have a nice Talo 22a that is accurate and reliable but I find the grip a bit too fat and the slide clumsy to operate around the rear sight. It takes down OK with the recoil spring being a bit finicky but not bad. Like it but don't love it. Kept eyeing the Rugers over the years but held back...until now!

The new Mk IV is a marvel of engineering. They kept all the good, improved the operating levers and mag removal, eliminated the unnecessary witness hole and absolutely nailed the disassembly process! You can literally field strip this gun in under 5 seconds and reassemble just as easy. I bought the stainless target model and am thrilled. The lower is one piece of stainless vs. two formed pieces as it was before. Performed flawlessly at the range. The ONLY thing I find is that the trigger is a bit heavy at 5lbs but breaks clean and will probably loose a pound with use. I also ordered a high vis front sight for my old eyes don't like black on black!
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Old 10-17-2016, 09:08 PM
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Thanks for that! I have an old MKII Gvmt Target that I still break out occasionally for Bullseye competition. I don't have any problems with the field stripping, I've done it so many times, I don't think about it.

I will be looking to pick up a MKIV. The trigger sounds heavy, that can be fixed.
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Old 10-17-2016, 09:21 PM
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I bought a MKIII target a couple of months ago. I never had any problem tearing it down. Just a couple of things to know and it's easy. It got a lot easier after changing the hammer bushing and eliminating the mag safety. I really like the looks of that MKIV though.
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Old 10-17-2016, 09:35 PM
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I have thought about getting the Ruger IV. But then again I realize I already have five 22lr handguns. No doubt my favorite is the MK II.
I think I am going to wait about 6 months to see how the gun performs and if any hickups need to be taken care of by Ruger.

Last edited by gman51; 10-18-2016 at 03:58 PM.
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Old 10-17-2016, 10:16 PM
Brian in Oregon Brian in Oregon is offline
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Handled one at the local gun shop over the weekend. Very nice bit of engineering. Ruger may capture back some sales that were going to the Browning Buckmark, and might cut into S&W Victory sales as well.

I'm hoping they will make a 22/45 style lower for it, but made from metal, not plastic. Will probably pick one up then, especially if it has a threaded muzzle.
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Old 10-18-2016, 07:17 AM
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Nice MKIV . It should prove to be a winner for Ruger as it addresses years of "take-down" complaints from the faithful. I, however, agree with other posts in that once I learned to field strip and re-assemble years ago, I've never had an issue
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Old 10-18-2016, 07:44 AM
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5 lb trigger? I'm sure we'll see something come out of Volquartsen soon, to resolve that. But we shouldn't have to spend additional money to make a firearm right, the way it should have been, out of the box.

But it finally looks like we have an affordable high quality .22 pistol, with no plastic! Nice!
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Old 10-18-2016, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Kenelz View Post
Thanks for that! I have an old MKII Gvmt Target that I still break out occasionally for Bullseye competition. I don't have any problems with the field stripping, I've done it so many times, I don't think about it.

I will be looking to pick up a MKIV. The trigger sounds heavy, that can be fixed.
The MkII is considered by some to be the better of the first 3 generations. I don't see the MKIV out-shooting the MKII but IMO provides some very nice user friendly changes. You'll like it.
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Old 10-18-2016, 10:27 AM
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5 lb trigger? I'm sure we'll see something come out of Volquartsen soon, to resolve that. But we shouldn't have to spend additional money to make a firearm right, the way it should have been, out of the box.

But it finally looks like we have an affordable high quality .22 pistol, with no plastic! Nice!
Yeah, 5lbs is heavy for this gun but triggers can vary a bit and I may have gotten a heavier example. Like I said it does break clean, though. One thing I didn't mention in my original post is how smooth the finishing is. The only place you can find any kind of an edge is the bolt ears. Very nice to handle.
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Old 10-18-2016, 11:02 AM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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What was the street price for your new Mark IV? The MSRP is pricey.
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Old 10-18-2016, 12:04 PM
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As it is new and not readily available yet the street prices I've seen run about $475 to $525 for the stainless target...about $100 less for the blue due to the alloy frame. Hunter models run well over $600. I paid $519 + tax in a local store. Could have saved a few bucks online but would have to wait...transfer fees and shipping add up to more than tax so brings the price a little closer. The prices may come down a bit in the coming year but I didn't feel like waiting.

I like to support local business so I was OK with paying a little more to keep them around...very nice guys who run a good store. Plus I walk out with the gun!

For those who want a MKIII I would be willing to wager those models will be available for less in the near future and still a great gun!

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Old 10-18-2016, 12:59 PM
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Much buzz about the MKIV here behind the tofu curtain. We'll never see 'em though as long as the "not too unsafe" roster of allowed handguns requires microstamping.

Glad I have no real problem with my MKIIIs.
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Old 10-18-2016, 03:17 PM
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I looked at a couple MKIV variants at my LGS last week. The takedown is super simple and the pistols are extremely well finished. I did not like the squared profile of the stock grip panels or the right side safety due to my big hands, though both are easily changed. The MKIV will be a huge hit.

Hoping to see a few MKII models I've been wanting to show up as trade-ins at my LGS! I've had my MKII and III's apart enough times that the process isn't too painful. I made my MKIII much more MKII like with a TandemKross hammer bushing to eliminate the dumb magazine disconnect. Best $10 I ever spent on a pistol!
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Old 10-18-2016, 03:42 PM
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Thanks for the heads-up on the new Ruger.

I learned to shoot with a 6" Standard, in fact it was that gun that showed me that long range shots were actually pretty easy. Shooting from a bench, I could clear a row of pop cans at 100 yards. This was when I was 11 or 12, and it impressed the heck out of my friends!

It didn't hurt that I read Elmer Keith!

I have a MK. II now, but I rarely shoot it, because then I'd have to clean it.

It's taken back seat to my K-22 anyway!
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Old 10-18-2016, 03:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lhump1961 View Post
I paid $519 + tax in a local store.
That's exactly $200 less than at last weeks' Orlando gunshow. After one of my MKII's quit I might need to buy one. Joe
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Old 10-18-2016, 04:37 PM
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That's exactly $200 less than at last weeks' Orlando gunshow. After one of my MKII's quit I might need to buy one. Joe
If you're waiting for your MKII to quit then you'll never have one...
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Old 10-18-2016, 06:31 PM
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LGS had the Target and Hunter models the other day. I believe they were $549.00 and 649.00 + tax. Owner field stripped the Target Model for me. Gotta say, I was impressed by the one piece machined frame, clean machine work and finish both inside and out. I've owned a few of the Ruger .22s, a MKI, MKIIs, standard barrels, heavy barrels, a 22/45,etc. The MKIVs are not inexpensive, but IMHO really do appear to be a cut,or two or three, above the previous versions justifying the price. I've not been tempted to buy another Ruger .22 pistol in years, but these things are beauties. The clean machine work and finish remind me of the SIG P210 or S&W Performance Center pistols,etc.
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Old 10-18-2016, 06:33 PM
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I've read on another forum that there were several people reporting the receiver screws were backing out. Also the screws where they are tapped for a scope on the barrel coming loose. They called Ruger and were told to put red Loctite on them. This was only on the Target model so far. Let us know how yours are after shooting them. I guess this should make Victory owners feel better after spending a lot less money.

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Old 10-18-2016, 07:45 PM
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LGS had the Target and Hunter models the other day. I believe they were $549.00 and 649.00 + tax. Owner field stripped the Target Model for me. Gotta say, I was impressed by the one piece machined frame, clean machine work and finish both inside and out. I've owned a few of the Ruger .22s, a MKI, MKIIs, standard barrels, heavy barrels, a 22/45,etc. The MKIVs are not inexpensive, but IMHO really do appear to be a cut,or two or three, above the previous versions justifying the price. I've not been tempted to buy another Ruger .22 pistol in years, but these things are beauties. The clean machine work and finish remind me of the SIG P210 or S&W Performance Center pistols,etc.
They are finished well. The only place you can find an edge is on the ears of the bolt. The rest is "melted".
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Old 10-18-2016, 07:57 PM
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I guess I'm the only one that doesn't like the looks of them? They took a nice clean looking little pistol and muddied it up. I think they had it right with the MKI, but can also see some merit in the MKII upgrades. Past that, I lost all interest in them. That said, I'm sure it's a quality gun that shoots better than most of its competition.
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Old 10-18-2016, 08:14 PM
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I've read on another forum that there were several people reporting the receiver screws were backing out. Also the screws where they are tapped for a scope on the barrel coming loose. They called Ruger and were told to put red Loctite on them. This was only on the Target model so far. Let us know how yours are after shooting them. I guess this should make Victory owners feel better after spending a lot less money.
I would never use red Loctite on anything I ever wanted to remove again. It's designed to be permanent. Blue or purple Loctite should be used on firearms.
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Old 10-18-2016, 09:08 PM
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When I was a kid, more than a half-century ago, I bought a new Bull Barrel Mark I, $37.50. It worked well, accurate, don't remember ever stripping it. I didn't like the look of the trigger. The trigger looked like a pot-metal toy out of a Cracker-Jacks box. The gun is long-gone, don't remember why, when or where it went.
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Old 10-18-2016, 09:11 PM
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Nice improvement, but not really necessary. A mark II can go years without cleaning and still be accurate and function 100%. So no reason to take it apart.

: )
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Old 10-18-2016, 09:23 PM
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What he said! I've got a Ruger Standard bought used in the mid-60s but made in the 50s. I don't believe it's ever been cleaned but it always runs when I take it shooting.
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Old 10-18-2016, 10:12 PM
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I see on the Ruger Web site that all of the MK III models have disappeared. I'd like to see the "Standard" model come out in the MK IV design. I'd be very disappointed if those models get dropped altogether. The Target and Hunter MK IVs are very nice looking.

I have 2 MK IIs (a Standard and a 22/45) that I love.
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Old 10-19-2016, 12:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lhump1961 View Post
I have a Ruger Mark I that has been in the family for 50 yrs and have fond memories of shooting it as a kid. Great pistol but we all know the ugly mess of disassembly and cleaning of the Mark series of pistols! For this reason I never considered another and instead have shot Buckmarks and Smith 22's. I currently have a nice Talo 22a that is accurate and reliable but I find the grip a bit too fat and the slide clumsy to operate around the rear sight. It takes down OK with the recoil spring being a bit finicky but not bad. Like it but don't love it. Kept eyeing the Rugers over the years but held back...until now!

The new Mk IV is a marvel of engineering. They kept all the good, improved the operating levers and mag removal, eliminated the unnecessary witness hole and absolutely nailed the disassembly process! You can literally field strip this gun in under 5 seconds and reassemble just as easy. I bought the stainless target model and am thrilled. The lower is one piece of stainless vs. two formed pieces as it was before. Performed flawlessly at the range. The ONLY thing I find is that the trigger is a bit heavy at 5lbs but breaks clean and will probably loose a pound with use. I also ordered a high vis front sight for my old eyes don't like black on black!
Is it really worth twice as much as a Victory? Or more, considering the fiber optic sights are standard on the Victory.
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Old 10-19-2016, 12:29 AM
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Is it really worth twice as much as a Victory? Or more, considering the fiber optic sights are standard on the Victory.
To me, yes. I think the Victory is ugly and the grip does not fit my hand. Tapers towards the bottom. I prefer grips more like a 1911A1, or the Buckmark.
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Old 10-19-2016, 05:27 PM
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Is it really worth twice as much as a Victory? Or more, considering the fiber optic sights are standard on the Victory.
To me, yes. I've learned to get what I really like if I can afford it because I will usually regret it later...and then end up buying what I should have in the first place and lose money in the end! I don't like the look and feel of the Victory as much as the Mk series.

Don't misunderstand...I have 95% S&W stuff and am a fanboy all the way. Nothing wrong with the Victory, just not for me. I do restrict my non-S&W purchases to American made with a couple of exceptions like Browning. Gotta love a Citori!

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Old 10-19-2016, 06:49 PM
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MK IV MSRP is a bit too high in my opinion.
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Old 10-19-2016, 10:09 PM
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I doubt the MK IV will be replacing any of my seven MK II/III's but it could grow the collection by one or two :-)
I have to admit this is a much better thought out "upgrade" than the MK II to III jump was. S&W take notice!
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Old 10-23-2016, 04:26 PM
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I've got all of the earlier Ruger .22 pistols, but no Mark IV (yet). In my opinion, the perfect ones were the Mark IIs. No more difficult to disassemble/reassemble than the earlier Standards and Mark Is, yet the fact that the bolt locked back after the last shot in the magazine made it perfect - everything you needed and nothing that you didn't.

The Mark IIIs were a witch with a capital "B." There was no earthly need for a magazine disconnect, because it unduly complicated the disassembly and reassembly procedure. Even grade school children are taught that proper unloading of a semiauto means removing the magazine first, and then emptying the chamber. If you do not understand that, you have no business handling a semiauto pistol, mag safety or not. The loaded chamber indicator just added another complication and manufacturing expense. I see Ruger dispensed with it on the Mark IV. If you really want to know if the chamber is loaded, just pull the bolt back a bit and LOOK. The addition of a side-mounted mag release on the Mark III was not required on a sporting or target firearm - no need for quick magazine changes unless you were being attacked by a herd of angry jackrabbits.

The Mark IIIs were designed by a committee composed largely or exclusively of nervous-Nelly company lawyers. I think Ruger finally realized that mistake and sought to correct it.

The Mark IVs are probably a mechanical improvement over the IIIs, but the gun looks like a cross between an antique break-action Smith and a modern pistol. The svelt lines of the original pistol were regretfully really disturbed. My sense of esthetics is also offended.

Just the opinions of a grumpy old man, I suppose.

John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 10-23-2016 at 04:37 PM.
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Old 10-23-2016, 08:28 PM
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I think most fans of the Ruger pistols feel the design peaked with the Mk II, and I certainly feel that way.

I'm not seeing anything in the Mk IV that makes me change my opinion on that. On the one hand it's nice to see better ergonomics and magazine removal, but they really did screw up the lines of what was a classic and even iconic pistol. IMHO it's not worth an increase in ease of re-assembly. It was after all never hard if you read the instructions and understood what needed to clear what.
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:05 PM
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So, which magazines do the MK IV's use? MK II, 22/45, MK III, or yet another revision?
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Old 10-24-2016, 03:52 PM
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You can find MKIV on GB for good prices:
SS Target $469. SS Hunter $569, each $200 below msrp.
I was thinking of buying one of them, but find it difficult, as I like my MKII so much...
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Old 10-25-2016, 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Faulkner View Post
So, which magazines do the MK IV's use? MK II, 22/45, MK III, or yet another revision?
Ruger says the MK III mags work in the MKIV.

By the way...I have relatives around your area. Siloam Springs, Gravette, Maysville, Gentry and some in Ft. Smith. Dad born in Jay, OK. Grandma used to live in Colcord OK. before the nursing home. Haven't spent much time there since my younger years but remember it well. Beautiful country. Still digging red dirt from between my toes!

Good friend from USMC born in Salisaw, OK and now lives in Alma, AR.

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Old 10-25-2016, 11:53 PM
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I still use a Mark I and love it. Being retired I have the time to assemble/dis-assemble it if I want to but rather I have my son pour some carb or brake cleaner through it and it is good to go for another 10,000 rounds. Just be sure to remove the grips and then do not put any oil on it as all the oil does is to gunk up the action. After my Model 17-1 this is my go to .22. I am sure that the Mark IV is good, but I do not care for the looks of it compared to the Mark I or II.
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Old 10-26-2016, 03:23 AM
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That's exactly $200 less than at last weeks' Orlando gunshow. After one of my MKII's quit I might need to buy one. Joe

That'll be awhile, Joe.


A Ruger exec told me that some Euro gun clubs have MK I's that have fired over a million rounds. I also learned about some very high count Rugers in South Africa. One correspondent told me that they're cleaned when someone feels inclined to do that. (Club-owned guns)


A South African told me that he shot dassies, rock rabbits, with his MK I with 5.25-inch bbl. NOT the more common 5.5-inch bbl. He said the gun was good, but that the animals are tough and more gun was really better. But he'd also killed some puff adders with his Ruger .22. The puff adder (Bitis arietans) is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes, killing more people every year than do all four species of mambas.


That's because they like to hide on paths and are very inclined to bite.


When I wrote an article on the Ruger .22 autos for, American Handgunner (Nov-Dec, 1980 issue), South Africa was under a UN embargo on arms shipments. I figured that that placed a heavier workload on guns already there. That turned out to be true, but MANY guns slipped though and new ones were often available, but at increased cost. A Ruger exec asked that I make it clear that Ruger did not ship there. The guns came in via secondary sources in Europe. That embargo ended with white government in 1995, and guns are now imported legally.

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Old 10-26-2016, 03:52 AM
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When I was a kid, more than a half-century ago, I bought a new Bull Barrel Mark I, $37.50. It worked well, accurate, don't remember ever stripping it. I didn't like the look of the trigger. The trigger looked like a pot-metal toy out of a Cracker-Jacks box. The gun is long-gone, don't remember why, when or where it went.




Unless you got it on sale, you probably paid $57.50. $37.50 was the cost of the STANDARD model, not the Mk I Target.
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Old 10-27-2016, 04:25 PM
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So, which magazines do the MK IV's use? MK II, 22/45, MK III, or yet another revision?
Amen, brother. Amen.
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Old 10-27-2016, 08:46 PM
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I bought the MK IV hunter today.
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